Title: Emergency Engagement
Series: Love Emergency Book #1
Author: Samanthe Becke
Genre: Romance
Blurb: Glass artist Savannah Smith expected a marriage proposal for Thanksgiving—just not from her strong, silent, super-hot neighbor. But when misplaced mail and a wayward can of paint lands them in a compromising position right as her family arrives for dinner, they assume he’s “The One” she’s been talking about.
Then his family shows up.
Fate dealt a crippling blow to paramedic Beau Montgomery’s heart, and he isn’t about to put it at risk again. Except, with his mother crying tears of joy over his surprise engagement to the sexy little blonde next door, he can’t bring himself to ruin her “Christmas miracle.”
Somewhere between the paint can to the head and the chaotic family trip to the ER, Beau manages to talk Savannah into being his fake fiancée long enough to survive the holidays.
If, of course, they don’t fall in love first…
Thoughts: First, let me say I really liked the way this books started off, and I loved the characters. However, the further I got into it the more conflicted I became.
We start out with two great characters – a guy looking to avoid love and a beauty who is actively looking for it – just with the wrong guys! Next thing you know, they are caught in a rather compromising pose – and their respective families roll with it, practically having them at the alter. The brilliant idea to ‘pretend’ for a little while takes root and we have a fake engagement. Of course, they fall in love while pretending to be in love – we know how this goes….
The thing is I really thought this was a fresh look on an old troupe….the characters really make you enjoy the story and the telling of it. Then, toward the end, it started to get a little shaky for me. I understand the characters and what drives them, Beau just kind of sticks his head in the sand – and turns into a little bit of a jerk (well, maybe more than a little!). Like I’m sure most readers felt, I was expecting a super-romantic scene. I’m talking a bring-the-reader-to-tears romantic gesture. Unfortunately, it fell a little….flat. I have to say I felt a little upset about that. However, I thought about it a lot afterward, and finally decided that the author wasn’t going for a typical happily ever after with all the frills and bows. Not all couples are super-romantic…..it real life women do take back guys who have been a total douche to them without a big grand gesture. It happens. Everyday.
The reader in me wanted the gesture. But – in real life – we can’t have it all, right?….;)
Rate: B
